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Nigeria U-23 team drew with Algeria on Saturday to book their place in the semi-finals at the ongoing Africa U-23 Championship in Senegal. Having earned a win and draw in their opening, Group B matches against Mali and Egypt respectively, Nigeria went into the game needing a win to ensure a semi-final ticket and keep their hopes of making the 2016 Rio Olympics party. Nigeria were done a huge favour by their West African neighbours Mali who defeated Egypt 1-0 in M’Bour; the stalemate between Nigeria and Algeria was enough for both teams to qualify for the semi-finals. Nigeria will now face host Senegal, who finished top of Group A after winning all three matches, for a place in the final whilst Algeria will tackle Group B runners-up, South Africa in the other semi-final. The semi-finals are billed to be played on Wednesday (December 9) whilst the final and third-placed playoff in the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium is due to take place on Saturday (December 12). The two finalists are guaranteed a place at Rio 2016, along with the winners of the third-place playoff. That means Nigeria, Africa’s most successful Olympic nation, having won gold and silver at Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008, will secure the Olympic ticket should they beat Senegal on Wednesday.    
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This article was first published on 7th December 2015 and updated on December 8th, 2015 at 3:22 pm

arinzeude

Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.

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